In vitro test for fecal leukocytes

Abstract

An in vitro test for determining the presence of leukocytes in a fecal sample which is sensitive to the numbers of fecal leukocytes typically found in inflammatory diarrheal specimens, by testing the fecal sample with an assay utilizing an antibody for lactoferrin.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method for distinguishing inflammatory diarrhea from noninflammatory diarrhea, comprising the steps of: providing a fecal sample suspected of containing leukocytes;   testing the fecal sample with an assay utilizing an antibody to lactoferrin that is sensitive to the numbers of fecal leukocytes typically found in inflammatory diarrhea samples; and   observing the fecal sample for the presence of lactoferrin.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, wherein a radial immunodiffusion assay is utilized. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1, wherein a latex agglutnation assay is utilized. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1, wherein a enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is utilized.